Vehicle headrest including integrated seat belt webbing guide

Abstract

An apparatus for guiding a seat belt webbing includes a first mounting portion and a guiding portion. The first mounting portion preferably includes an aperture adapted to receive a vertical post for conventionally mounting a head rest to a vehicle seat back. The guide portion defines an opening for receiving the seat belt webbing. In certain applications, the apparatus further includes a second mounting portion for releasably engaging the headrest. A bezel is disclosed for releasably attaching to the vertical post.

We claim: 
     
       1. An arrangement for guiding a seat belt webbing in combination with a headrest of a vehicle, the headrest including an upwardly extending mounting post, the arrangement comprising: a seat belt webbing guide defining an opening for receiving the seat belt webbing, said seat belt webbing guide including a first end defining a first attachment portion and a second end defining a second attachment portion, said first and second attachment portions interconnected to the headrest, said first attachment portion directly engaging the upwardly extending mounting post; and   a bezel secured to the headrest;   said second attachment portion releasably engaging said bezel.   
     
     
       2. The arrangement for guiding a seat belt webbing of claim 1, wherein said first attachment portion defines an aperture for receiving the mounting post. 
     
     
       3. The arrangement for guiding a seat belt webbing of claim 1, wherein said second attachment portion includes a hook portion releasably engaging a portion of said bezel. 
     
     
       4. The arrangement for guiding a seat belt webbing of claim 1, wherein said bezel includes a generally C-shaped attachment portion releasably engaging the mounting post. 
     
     
       5. An arrangement for guiding a seat belt webbing and restraining an occupant of a motor vehicle relative to a vehicle seat in combination with a headrest of the vehicle seat, the headrest attached to a seat back through a pair of vertical posts, the arrangement comprising: a guide portion defining an opening for receiving and guiding the seat belt webbing, said guide portion including a first end defining a first attachment portion and a second end defining a second attachment portion;   said first attachment portion including an aperture receiving one of the pair of vertical posts;   said second attachment portion releasably engaging said one of the pair of vertical posts.   
     
     
       6. The arrangement for restraining an occupant of a motor vehicle of claim 5, further comprising a bezel including a mounting portion for engaging said one of said pair of vertical posts. 
     
     
       7. The arrangement for restraining an occupant of a motor vehicle of claim 6, wherein said bezel defines an opening, said second attachment portion passing through said opening. 
     
     
       8. The arrangement for restraining an occupant of a motor vehicle of claim 5, wherein said first and second ends engage said one of the pair of vertical posts at vertically spaced apart points. 
     
     
       9. An arrangement for restraining an occupant of a motor vehicle relative to a vehicle seat in combination with the vehicle seat, the vehicle seat having a headrest attached to a seat back through a pair of vertical posts, the arrangement comprising: a guide portion defining an opening for receiving and guiding the seat belt webbing, said guide portion including first and second ends connected to one of the pair of vertical posts at vertically spaced apart points, at least one of said first and second ends including a recess adapted to releasably engaging one of the pair of vertical posts.   
     
     
       10. The arrangement for restraining an occupant of a motor vehicle relative to a vehicle seat of claim 9, further comprising a bezel including a mounting portion for engaging said one of said pair of vertical posts. 
     
     
       11. The arrangement for restraining an occupant of a motor vehicle relative to a vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein said bezel defines an opening, said second end passing through said opening.